AfriGeneas Free Persons of Color Forum

Negro Registries

Can some one help me understand the so called Negro registries. I am the County Coordinator of the Jennings County, Indiana, GenWeb site and have found a transcription of the Jennings County registry from 1853-Jan 1856. I am going to put it on line but I want to correctly describe what it was? I am assuming it was to certify the people registered were free persons of color and not run away slaves. This section of Indiana was very involved in the underground railroad and from what I see on this registry people are stating they were born in Jennings County in the early 1820's, since the county was not formed until 1816 that is very early and they were definately county pioneers. Also do I try to modify the wording to be more policically correct or place it on the site as it was written since it describes people by the shade of their skin?